Ephesians 3:12

“in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in Him”.

“In whom”: In Christ. Again, Christ is the only access to God (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:16; 1 Timothy 2:5). “Boldness”: “Christian boldness is revealed as being at least partially the responsibility of the Christian himself to maintain it, and encourage it in others. It is the spiritual equivalent of the confidence displayed by. good athlete manifesting at all times. winning attitude” (Coffman p. 173). This "boldness" is not based in worldly pride. Some people approach God with boldness, because they think that God owes them something, God is. sentimental old man, or that God just approves of everyone. This boldness rather is rooted in the fact that we have become Christians, the barrier of sin has been removed (a barrier we created) and through Jesus Christ we are admitted into His presence (Hebrews 10:17). The word "boldness" suggests an "all-telling". “It was the classical Greek word for freedom of speech, the right ‘to say everything' one wished to say. Only those with the status of citizen had this right” (Boles p. 252). Therefore the Christian has the "right" or privilege to cast "all" their cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7), and to be heard. The person outside of Christ does not have this right. God is under no moral obligation to respond to the prayers of the disobedient and unbelieving. “Access”: Admission. “In confidence”: “Confident access” (NASV). “Can approach without fear to God in trustful confidence” (Con). “We can come fearlessly right into God's presence, assured of His glad welcome” (Tay). (Hebrews 4:16). “Through our faith in Him”: Romans 5:1.

Unbelief cuts off "access to God" (James 1:6). Lack of faith will stop us dead in our tracks. This "access" to God is conditional. God has enabled the Christian to approach Him, but the Christian must exercise his or her own faith. We must draw nigh with "a sincere heart" (Hebrews 10:22). Caldwell reminds us: “We must remember that pagan idolaters are confident and bold in prayer while practicing the most heathen rites of worship. With that in mind, we realize that our confidence is only as good as our information” (p. 128). Other passages mention the confidence and access of which the Christian is to take advantage (1 John 5:14; Hebrews 10:35; 1 John 3:21; 1 John 4:17).